Souths, Dragons launch Charity Shield

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The South Sydney Rabbitohs and St George Illawarra Dragons will face off in the 32nd Charity Shield at ANZ Stadium on Saturday 7 February, in the Rabbitohs' first return to ANZ Stadium since their drought-breaking grand final win in October.

The two clubs launched the 2015 match on Wednesday, with proceeds from the match to go towards Souths Cares and the St George Foundation.

The Rabbitohs are chasing their third straight victory in the annual clash, having defeated the Dragons 28-10 at ANZ Stadium in 2013 and 38-20 in Wollongong earlier this year.

"We always look forward to playing in the Charity Shield because it means the footy is back," Souths coach Michael Maguire said.

"The players say that the intensity of the Charity Shield is up there with NRL games and that's what we're looking for as coaches, seeing who is ready for the start of the season.

"We're looking forward to the opportunities and challenges ahead of us this pre-season and the Charity Shield will be one of the highlights, along with the World Club Challenge in St Helens a couple of weeks later."

Maguire's Dragons counterpart Paul McGregor agreed the match was a highlight of the NRL pre-season.

"It is not your average pre-season match, it is always a high intensity match which is what is needed heading into the season and with Souths the reigning premiers, it will be a good test for us," McGregor said.

"This will be our final pre-season game before we compete in the World Club Series and it will be a good indication as to where the players are at in their individual preparations as we prepare for the new premiership season."